More than once they had to pause and sit by the path, while the lad rested.
After that she talked with Claus. Had they come from far, she asked him?
"From beyond seas," he answered with a clumsy gesture to the south. "Yonder—they call it Brighthelmstone—we came a-land. We are bound to the king's army."
"Ay, the king," said Rupert, suddenly, and opened his eyes. "I am going to fight for the king of England, even as my father fought. For," said he, and his eyes sought Merrylips' face, yet seemed not to see her, "I am English born."
Claus hushed him there, speaking in a tongue that Merrylips did not know, but she had scarcely heeded Rupert's last words in her joy at finding out that these strangers were recruits for the king's army.
"Oh!" said she. "You are going to the wars, even as my brothers will go."
Jealously she looked at Rupert, who indeed seemed very childish as he rested in the circle of Claus's arm.
"He is but little older than I," said Merrylips. "Can he fight?"